Arsenal
Premier League champions Liverpool return to motion for the primary time because the tragic dying of ahead Diogo Jota and brother André Silva as they face Preston North Finish in a pre-season pleasant at Deepdale. Right here’s every thing you have to know forward of the fixture.
Soccer has taken a again seat for a membership in mourning. The sight of the whole first-team squad and members of Jota’s household paying tribute at Anfield on Friday afternoon was nothing wanting heartbreaking, because the membership additionally confirmed the retirement of Jota’s quantity 20 shirt in honour of their former ahead.
Simply how targeted and ready the squad shall be heading into this new season stays to be seen however maybe, for some, returning to the pitch will supply a quick however welcome distraction from the grief.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Preston North Finish vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off on Sunday July 13, 2025. The match will happen at Preston’s Deepdale stadium.
The right way to watch
On TV: Within the UK, the sport shall be televised stay and without cost on ITV1. Protection is scheduled to start out at 2:40pm BST forward of the 3pm kick-off.
Reside stream: Viewers may also comply with the sport stay and without cost on-line through the ITVX app or web site, in addition to the membership’s All Purple Video.
Group kind & build-up
Preston, who completed twentieth within the Championship final season with simply 50 factors and one spot above the relegation zone, have already performed two pre-season friendlies — a 2-1 loss to Bamber Bridge and a 1-0 win over Chorley. Nevertheless, they’re winless of their final 5 dwelling fixtures at Deepdale, shedding three.
In distinction, Liverpool start their preparations for the 2025–26 marketing campaign recent from a dominant title-winning season, which they wrapped up with 4 video games to spare. The Reds ended final time period with the Premier League’s greatest attacking file (86 targets) and the second-best defensive file (41 conceded), behind solely Arsenal.
Slot’s facet have been victorious in all 5 of their pre-season video games forward of the 2024–25 season. Although they misplaced three of their ultimate 4 away league video games, the title had already been secured, probably influencing crew choice and efficiency.
Liverpool followers tuning in won’t solely witness emotional tributes to Jota, but in addition have the possibility to look at their crew’s thrilling new period underneath Slot start following a summer season of over £200 million in switch funding, together with the debut of club-record signing Florian Wirtz.
The German’s arrival captured imaginations and seeing him in purple shirt for the primary time is an thrilling prospect. The identical might be mentioned of latest full-back duo Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively. It’s anticipated that goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will even make his first look for the membership.
Arne Slot is more likely to change his total beginning XI at halftime, providing minutes to most of his squad.
Predicted Lineups
Preston (3-1-4-2): Cornell; Storey, Lindsay, Gibson; Whiteman; Keane, Thordarson, Brady, Hughes; Osmajic, Evans
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvil, Bradley, Konate, Nallo, Robertson; Endo, McConnell; Mistaken, Wirtz, Gakpo; Chiesa
Regardless of the celebratory tone of a brand new period and recent faces, the event shall be grounded in remembrance with tributes deliberate earlier than kick-off. It is going to be a day of blended feelings honouring a beloved participant and household man, whereas additionally marking a brand new chapter for the Reds.
